Introduction: Phenix continues to not just push, but shred the envelope offering components and materials normally reserved for high end products in rod series priced for the masses. Their new Maxim bass rod series feature blanks made with a carbon rather than paper scrim - a feature that made G.Loomis GLX unique back in the day. Today we put one of these blanks to the test in our review of their Maxim series MAX-73MH casting rod.

Introducing Phenix's Maxim MAX-73MH.

Phenix Maxim MAX-73MH Specifications

Material

Phenix Proprietary blank with carbon fiber scrim

Length

7'-3"

Line Wt.

10-17lb

Lure Wt.

1/4-1oz

Pieces

One

Guides

10+tip (proprietary guide)

Rear Handle Length

9 inches

Power Rating

Medium Heavy

Taper

Fast

Rod Weight

4.2 oz

Origin

Made in China

MSRP

$119.99

Quality/Construction:The MAX-73MH is a seven foot, three inch, medium heavy powered casting rod. It comes with an unsanded blank, and a split rear grip of EVA foam. Epoxy work on all 10 guides plus the tip top were very clean. Looking down the blank from the reel seat towards the tip the blank has a slight lean to the left at the very tip, but the guides were all aligned perfectly.

The MAX-73MH loads predictably in both casting and pitching situations.

Casting: The MAX-73MH loads very predictably in both casting and pitching situations. Its extra length really aids in both situations although I'd categorize its taper as more mod-fast than fast. With a lure rating of up to one ounce, I was only comfortable with up to maybe three quarter of an ounce lures in casting situations. Anything heavier and the rod's tip feels a bit overloaded. You can get away maybe a little more if you're pitching or of course, lobbing your casts. The MAX-73MH makes an excellent pitching stick.

Phenix custom designed the reel seat for this stick.

Sensitivity: The MAX-73MH is about average when it comes to sensitivity. You really cannot expect too much of rods in this price point, but with its raw unsanded and unfinished blank, Phenix makes sure nothing gets in the way of the blank's job of transmitting vibrations from its tip to your hands. Match the rod up with a high grade fluorocarbon line or braid and it will more than suit the purpose in terms of sensitivity.

Checking out the MAX-73MH's taper.

Power: With its added length, we expected the MAX-73MH to chart out a little softer than a typical medium heavy powered rod. What we didn't expect was for it to chart out even softer than a typical medium powered stick. However, considering this is a Phenix rod, we should just be accustomed to their rods charting out softer than the norm.

This explains why I felt the rod's lure rating was a bit generous and only liked it with baits up to about three quarters of an ounce. All that having been said, out on the water battling with some feisty smallmouth bass from Lake Berryessa, the MAX-73MH's power curve felt good.